ASHLAND, VA - The Southern Virginia Women's Basketball team opened their season at Randolph-Macon and secured a victory, thanks to a dominant second quarter performance and Ruth Kempler's impressive 21 points in just 23 minutes of play.
Southern Virginia had a strong start in the first quarter, with Ruth Kempler extending their lead with a three-pointer. However, the Hornets responded, resulting in a closely contested first quarter that featured five lead changes and ended in a 16-16 tie.
In the second quarter, the Knights found their rhythm and surged ahead with a commanding 12-point lead, courtesy of a layup from Kempler. Southern Virginia's defense stood tall, limiting the Hornets to a mere 17.65% shooting percentage in the second quarter.
As the game progressed into the third quarter, Randolph-Macon battled back and narrowed the lead to just one point at the five-minute mark. However, a three-pointer from Presley Heggie ignited a 10-point run for the Knights, leaving the Hornets struggling to score and allowing the Knights to enter the fourth quarter with a 50-40 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Southern Virginia further increased their lead to +18, but the Hornets managed to score some layups and free throws, ultimately ending the game with a score of 68-58.
The Knights showcased exceptional ball movement, shooting 46.4% from the floor and an impressive 50.0% from beyond the arc. In contrast, the Hornets shot 30.6% from the field and 27.8% from three-point range.
Ruth Kempler had a standout performance, achieving a career-high 21 points while also leading the team with eight rebounds. Abigail Snyder, Maria Savvun, and Addison Newman all recorded double-digit numbers, with Newman also making a pair of steals.
Southern Virginia will have some time to rest before facing Methodist University on Friday, November 17th, in their fifth meeting against the two programs, which tips off at 6 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information and details about the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_wbb on Instagram.
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